Trap metal is a genre that fuses the heavy, aggressive elements of metal music with the hard-hitting beats and rhythmic patterns of trap music. It’s a genre characterized by its raw energy, intense vocals, and dark, distorted soundscapes. Making trap metal beats requires a good understanding of both metal and trap music production techniques. This article will guide you through the process of creating trap metal beats, covering everything from sound selection to mixing and mastering.
I. Understanding Trap Metal
Before diving into the production process, it’s important to understand what makes trap metal unique. Trap metal is known for its high energy, aggressive tone, and a blend of distorted guitars, heavy bass, and trap-style drums. The vocals in trap metal often feature screaming or intense rapping, adding to the genre’s intense vibe. The combination of these elements creates a chaotic yet structured sound that appeals to fans of both metal and trap music.
1. Key Elements of Trap Metal
Heavy Distortion: Guitars and sometimes even vocals are heavily distorted to create a gritty, raw sound.
Deep 808 Bass: The bass in trap metal is usually deep and punchy, providing a strong foundation for the track.
Aggressive Drums: Hard-hitting kicks, snappy snares, and fast hi-hats are common in trap metal beats.
Dark Atmosphere: The overall vibe of trap metal is dark and intense, often featuring eerie melodies and unsettling sound effects.
II. Sound Selection
The first step in creating a trap metal beat is selecting the right sounds. This includes choosing drum kits, bass samples, guitar sounds, and any additional elements that will contribute to the overall feel of the track.
1. Drums
The drums in a trap metal beat should be hard-hitting and aggressive. Start with a powerful kick that has a lot of punch and a snare that cuts through the mix. Trap-style hi-hats are essential, and you can use rolls and stutters to add energy to the beat.
Kicks: Look for kicks that are punchy and have a strong low end.
Snares: Choose snares that are sharp and loud, with a bit of reverb to give them a spacious feel.
Hi-Hats: Use rapid hi-hat patterns with occasional rolls and triplets to create a sense of urgency.
2. Bass
The bass in trap metal is usually a deep 808 that provides the track’s low-end foundation. It’s often distorted to match the aggressive tone of the genre.
808s: Select a deep, clean 808 sample. Distort it slightly to give it a grittier sound, but be careful not to muddy the mix.
Sub Bass: Layer a sub-bass underneath the 808 for added depth and power.
3. Guitars:
Guitars are a crucial element in trap metal, providing the metal influence that defines the genre. The guitars should be heavily distorted and play aggressive riffs or power chords.
Distortion: Use a guitar amp simulator or distortion plugin to achieve the heavy, distorted sound characteristic of metal music.
Riffs and Chords: Experiment with different guitar riffs and power chords that complement the trap-style beat. Keep the rhythms simple but powerful.
4. Synths and Effects
Trap metal often incorporates eerie synths and sound effects to enhance the dark atmosphere of the track.
Synths: Choose dark, atmospheric synth sounds that can add tension and depth to your beat.
Effects: Use sound effects like reverse cymbals, impacts, and glitches to create an unsettling vibe.
III. Beat Arrangement
Once you’ve selected your sounds, it’s time to arrange your beat. A typical trap metal beat consists of an intro, verse, chorus, and sometimes a bridge or breakdown.
1. Intro
The intro sets the tone for the track. Start with a simple melody or guitar riff to establish the mood, then gradually introduce the drums and bass.
Build-Up: Use effects like risers or white noise to create tension leading into the verse.
Melodic Elements: Consider adding a haunting melody or atmospheric pad to give the intro a dark, eerie feel.
2. Verse
The verse is where the energy starts to build. Keep the arrangement relatively simple, focusing on the drums, bass, and vocals.
Drum Pattern: Use a straightforward trap drum pattern with punchy kicks and sharp snares. Add in hi-hat rolls for extra energy.
Guitar Riffs: Incorporate aggressive guitar riffs that complement the drum pattern. Keep the riff simple but impactful.
3. Chorus
The chorus is the most energetic part of the track. This is where you want to bring all the elements together to create a powerful, memorable hook.
Full Drum Kit: Bring in the full drum kit with additional percussion elements like crashes or toms.
Layered Guitars: Layer multiple guitar tracks to create a wall of sound. Consider adding a lead guitar melody over the rhythm guitar for added complexity.
Bass Drops: Use bass drops or 808 slides to emphasize the downbeats and add impact to the chorus.
4. Bridge/Breakdown
A bridge or breakdown is optional, but it can add variety to the track and keep the listener engaged. This section often features a different rhythm or a stripped-down version of the chorus.
Change of Pace: Slow down the tempo or change the rhythm to create a contrast with the rest of the track.
Atmospheric Effects: Use atmospheric effects or synths to create a sense of space and tension.
IV. Mixing and Mastering
Mixing and mastering are crucial steps in making your trap metal beat sound polished and professional. This is where you balance the levels of all your elements, apply effects, and ensure the track sounds good on all playback systems.
1. Mixing
Leveling: Start by leveling all your elements. Make sure the drums, bass, and guitars are well-balanced, with none overpowering the others.
EQ: Use EQ to carve out space for each element in the mix. For example, cut the low frequencies of the guitars to make room for the bass.
Compression: Apply compression to the drums and bass to keep them punchy and consistent. Use a multiband compressor on the master track to glue the mix together.
Reverb and Delay: Add reverb to the snare, guitars, and vocals to create a sense of space. Use delay on the vocals or guitars for added depth.
2. Mastering
Limiting: Apply a limiter to the master track to increase the overall loudness without causing distortion.
Stereo Imaging: Use stereo imaging plugins to widen the mix and make it sound bigger.
Final EQ: Apply a final EQ to balance the overall frequency spectrum of the track.
V. Experimentation and Creativity
While the steps outlined above will help you create a solid trap metal beat, don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own unique touch. Trap metal is a genre that thrives on creativity and pushing boundaries, so feel free to try new things and break the rules.
1. Vocal Processing
Vocals in trap metal are often heavily processed to match the aggressive tone of the music. Experiment with different vocal effects like distortion, pitch-shifting, and reverb.
Screaming and Rapping: Trap metal often features a mix of screaming and rapping. Experiment with different vocal styles and see what fits best with your beat.
Layering: Layer multiple vocal tracks to create a fuller, more powerful sound. You can also pan the vocals to different positions in the stereo field for added width.
2. Glitch Effects
Glitch effects can add an extra layer of intensity and chaos to your beat. Use glitch plugins or manually chop and rearrange parts of the beat to create a glitchy, disjointed effect.
Stutter Edits: Use stutter edits on the drums or vocals to create a rapid, repeating effect.
Time Stretching: Experiment with time-stretching effects on the guitars or vocals to create eerie, unnatural sounds.
3. Atmospheric Sound Design
Creating a dark, immersive atmosphere is key to making a trap metal beat. Use ambient sounds, drones, and textures to build the atmosphere.
Field Recordings: Incorporate field recordings of industrial sounds, nature, or cityscapes to add a layer of realism and depth.
Reverse Effects: Use reverse effects on cymbals, guitars, or vocals to create tension and a sense of unease.
See Also: Unveiling the Sources of Trap Nation’s Music
VI. Conclusion
Creating trap metal beats is a process that requires a balance of aggression, rhythm, and atmosphere. By carefully selecting your sounds, arranging them in a way that builds energy, and applying the right mixing techniques, you can create powerful, hard-hitting trap metal beats that capture the intensity of the genre.
Remember, trap metal is all about breaking the rules and pushing boundaries. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your unique sound. With practice and creativity, you’ll be able to craft beats that stand out in the growing trap metal scene.
